Novichok Attacks, Russia's Alleged Role and British Reaction: Key Questions of the Inquiry
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in south-west England during March 2018 was an unprecedented incident that created international shockwaves. The targeted man, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an brazen effort to kill him, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An official inquiry was held last year, probing the attack on the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the fatal sequence of events that ensnared Sturgess. Below are several central issues it explored.
The Identity of Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On June 30, 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley survived but has experienced ongoing health problems. At first, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Soon after, it became clear they had been poisoned with the chemical weapon Novichok. Sturgess sprayed herself with the substance believing it was perfume. Rowley is thought to have found a vessel containing the agent disguised as a perfume bottle and given it to his partner. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was caught “in the crossfire” of an unlawful foreign plot to kill.
What Was a Container of Novichok Doing in South-West England?
On 4 March 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned by novichok at his home in Salisbury, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been settled in a suburban cul-de-sac after a spy exchange. Both became gravely sick but managed to survive.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal. One theory offered is that Skripal harboured secret information about the Russian president’s alleged financial crimes involving profits from metals production. There have also been indications that Skripal kept assisting intelligence services in the West after his supposed retirement from espionage. In the aftermath, the UK government ordered out 23 Russian diplomats.
What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Take?
UK police believe two Russian agents, using the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, applied novichok to the exterior door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on March 4. When the former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Happened With the Container of Novichok Afterwards?
This remains a central mystery of the case. A theory is they may have used a portable heat sealer to reseal the container during a “missing 33 minutes” when they disappeared from surveillance cameras and discarded it in a trash can. Rowley stated he thought he found the bottle in June, a few days before giving it to Sturgess. However, police think it more likely he found it shortly after the attack. Detectives found video evidence that seems to depict Rowley looking through rubbish in Salisbury on the fateful day. If this is accurate, Rowley had the bottle for over three months and even relocated while possessing it. Yet, police have not categorically dismissed the possibility of a another vessel, which remains missing.
The Lethality of the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of exceptional potency and had the potential for mass casualties. A government scientist stated that a “minuscule” amount – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, 87 people went to hospital worried about contamination. Three police officers were contaminated, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Was Enough Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
The victim's relatives believes so. They contend that he was a blatant target for the Russian state but was given insufficient security in Salisbury. Skripal is said to have refused security measures, including simple surveillance.
Could More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Again, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No public warnings about picking up containers that may have contained nerve agent were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled “strong recollection” of advising the public not to pick up objects near the scene in March. However, there is no documentation of such a warning. A alert was only given following the June incident.
What About the Response of the Emergency Services?
The record is varied. There were many instances of great bravery by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, Wiltshire police has expressed regret for wrongly categorising Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess did not.
Did Skripal Have Luck to Survive?
Without a doubt. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for certain poisonings, after a fortunate accident. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
The Russian Stance
The Moscow's diplomatic mission has claimed there are numerous unresolved issues around the poisoning. It highlights claims that the Skripals' vehicle was spotted out on the morning of 4 March and that their mobiles were turned off for four hours. It also questions the lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been hundreds, if not thousands of red herrings in the case.
